Supervisory control system



June 6, 1933. w. BRUCKEL 1,913,187

SUPERVISORY CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 20, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor: walgiern-ar BrUcKel,

His Attorn ey.

Fig.1.

June 6, 1933. w. BRUCKEL SUPERVISORY CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 20, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 r O m e v Tm \X/ademar BrUc kel, by 1 (4,64%

H is 1 \tto-r'1'"|e NME June 6, 1933. w. BRUCKEL SUPERVISORY CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 20. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inven t or:

WW m n 5 t r& a A WW HP June 6, 1933.

W. BRUCKEL 1,913,187

SUPERVI SORY CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 20, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor: Waldemar BrLicKel,

His Attorney.

. synchronously Patented June NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALD MAR BRucKEL, orBERLrNQenR AN AssIGivoR To GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY; A CORPORATION or new Yoair sUPERvIsony contract SYSTEM Application filed February 20, 1929, Serial No. 341,514, and in Germany March 7, 1928i My invention relates. to supervisory control systems andmore particularly to that type of supervisory control system in which operated rotary selector switches are employed in the dispatchefisstation and in the remote station. 1

One of the objects of the invention is to provide certain improvements in systems of the type indicated whereby in responseto a sin le 0 eration of a switch in the control station a series of impulses grouped ina predetermined manner is transmitted to a remote station, each group of the seriesbeing caused to: actuate adifferent selector switch in the remote station whereby a selecting action is had, causing the automatic operation of .the desired one of a plurality of remote switches, or other devices.

A further object of the invention isto proi vide means wherebyhwhen the remote device is operated 'additional means is actuated to either return the control switch to 1ts initial position or to prevent itslmaintaining the supervisory system in action. 3 Another object of the invention is. to; provide means whereby upon failure of the system to operate the desired remote device, the series ofiimpulses, grouped in the predetermined inanner, dependent upon the device which was to be operated, will be again transmitted to the remote station. i The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with. particularity in the appended claims. Myinvention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in connecto one of theremote switches which are tobe controlled and supervised. Each of these of a latching mechanism 1' of any suitable theiirst group of the series of impulses, and selector switch 56 a is arranged to respond switches 1 has a pair of contactsQ for initiating the operation of the supervisory system and an additional pair of contacts 3 for selecting the particular remote switch which is to be controlled. \Vhen any of the switches lis operated either to its left-hand position or to its right-hand position thereby to close or open a remote switch it is arranged to hemechanically latched in that position by means construction; These latching mechanisms are each providedwith an actuating winding 18 which when energized releases the armature member of the switch 1 and causes it to return to the initial position. As will be pointed out, this occurs after the supervisory system has been actuated to perform the desired operation.

Thetransmitting system also comprises a pair oi. selector switches 9 and 15 together, with associated relays including a time delay relay 17. These selector switches are so connected that, in response to operation oit'any switch 1, they actuate their armatures synchronously over a portion of their contacts 75 after which an interruption occurs and selector 9 then returns to the initial position leaving selector 15 in the position in which the interruption occurred. In so doing, by means of an impulse relay 13, selector switch 9 supplies a series of impulses over the line conductor A to the remote station, the number of impulses transmitted corresponding to the num ber of contacts upon the selector switch 9. This series of impulses is interrupted. as stated, through action of relay 17 for a definite interval. after apredetermined number of im-. pulses as determined by the switch 1, has been transmitted after whiclrinterruption the se ries of? impulses is completed by switch 9.

In the remote station as illustrated in Fig. 4: selector switches 55 and 56 are provided. Selector switch 55 is arranged to respond to to the secomlgroup of impulses whereby afterthe completion of the cnt1re series of impulses these switches are upon contacts which are connected in circuit with the one 109 of the relays 57, 58 which is to be operated to control the remote switch, not shown.

Impulses may be transmitted from the remote station to the dispatchers station for the purpose of indicating in the dispatchers station the automatic operation of remote switch by means of a transmitting system shown in Fig. 3 which is identical with the transmitting system shown in Fi 1, with the principal exception that the equipment represented by the rectangle in Fig. 3 is provided instead of switches 1 shown in Fig. 1. In this transmitting equipment the start ing and selecting circuits are completed through contacts on relays 26 and 27. A pair ofthese relays 26 and 27 is associated with each remote switch, and the operation of any relay 2? causes a series of impulses to be transmitted over the line conductor A to the dispatchers station, the number of impulses transmitted corresponding to the selector switch 9 of the transmitting means shown in Fig. The dispatchers oiiice is provided. with a receiving system shown in Fig. 2 which is identical with that at the remote station with the exception that indicating relays, as shown in the rectangle in the lower lefthand corner of Fig. 2 are provided instead of relays 57 and 58' shown in Fig. 4.

The transmitter at the remote station is provided with additional relays 28 and 29 which are controlled through conductors g, h, and z', respectively by the remote receiver for purposes later to be indicated.

Having now indicated the general character of the system to be described, a further and more detailed understanding thereof may be had by reference to its operation.

Let us assume that the operator desires to actuate the contacts of relay 57 at the remote station thereby to operate a remote oil switch or other suitable device controlled by that relay. He will actuate the armature of switch 1 shown in'Fig. 1 to the left thereby closing its left-hand contacts 2 and its righthand contacts 3, the latching mechanism 1 retaining this switch in the position to which it is actuated. Contacts 2 energize through an obvious circuit starting relay 5 in the dispatchers ofice and right-hand contacts 3 prepare a selecting circuit to determine the number of impulses in each group of the series which is to be transmitted thereby to select the desired remote switch.

Upon operation of relay 5 in the dispatch ers oflice its upper contacts complete a circuit which extends from the negative side of the battery through the lower contacts of relays 51 and 52 of the receiver in the dispatchers station, contacts 53 of relay 53 of that receiver, conductor 0, upper contacts of relay 5, negative bus 6, relay 7 and contacts 8 on selector switch 9 to the positive side of the battery. Upon operation of relay 7 a circuit is completed from the positive side of the battery through contacts of relay 7, winding of relay 10 and right-hand upper contacts of relay 11 to the negative side of the battery. Relay 10 then operates and by means of its upper armature establishes a circuit for motor magnet 9' through the same contacts of relay 11. At the same time, by means of its lower armature and contacts relay 1O deenergizes itself. Thus a buzzer action 01 this relay is established, the relay alternately opening and closing its pper and lower contacts at a rate determined by a suitable time delay means (not shown) which is associated with the relay whereby its operation to the lower position is delayed. This buzzer action is utilized to control the opera tion of selectors 9 and 15.

As stated above when the relay 10 is in its upper position a circuit is completed through motor magnet 9 of switch 9. Thus this motor magnet is successively energized and deenergized thereby stepping switch 9 over its contacts synchronously with the buzzer action of relay 10. Upon each energization of motor magnet 9', contacts 14' associated therewith close thereby completing a circuit for the right-hand coil of impulsing relay 13 which, in turn, successively connects line A to the positive side of the battery. Contacts 14 also complete a circuit upon each successive energization of magnet 9 which extends through conductor 14, lower right-hand contacts of relay 11, wiper II which is in engagement with its first'contact after the first energization of motor magnet 9, wiper 1 of selector switch 15 in its normal position and relay 16 to the negative side of the battery. Relay 16 then operates to complete an obvious circuit for motor magnet 1.5 of the selector switch 15.

This motor magnet 15 is then energized and steps its armature on to its first ofi' normal contact thereby deenergizing relay 16. Relay 16 cannot then again be energized until selector switch 9 has been advanced to its second contact by action of its motor magnet 9 in response to successive operation of relay 10. When this occurs relay 16 is again energized and the switch 15 is stepped to its second position. In this way switches 9 and 15 operate synchronously until a contact is reached where the one of the selecting circuits which include contacts 3 of the particular switch 1, which has been operated, is completed. In the case assumed this circuit extends fromnegative battery through the right-hand lower contacts of relay 13, contacts lt of motor magnet 9, left-h and winding of relay 11, wiper I on its eighth contact, right-hand contacts 3 of switch 1, wiper II of switch 15 on its eighth contact to the positive side of the battery. Since relay 13 must be in its lower positionbefore this circuit can be position thereby completing a circuit from the negative bus 6 through left-hand contacts of relay lland slow-closing relay 17. During the period of closing of relay 17 an interruption is produced in the transmission of impulses. The contac-tsof this relay are connected in parallel with the upper right-hand contacts of relay 11 so that whenthis relay is in its closed positionthe buzzer circuit of relay 10 is again "completed. This circuit now extendsthrough contacts 8 of switch 9, however, rather than 8 sinceswitch 9 is in an oil-normal position. The circuit of motor magnet 9 is also again completed through the contacts otrelay 17. The selector switch 9 will now actuateitself to its normal position in which position the 'movable contacts 8P open thereby interrupting the circuit of relay 10, and causing the switchto stop. It will be noticed thatrelay'i' was deenergized by contacts 8 when switch 9 left its normal position. Selector 15, however, remains upon itseighth contact for the reasorrtha't the circuit ofrelay 16 is'now open at the right-hand lower contacts of relay 11. Whencontacts 8 close a circuit is again completed through the right:

a hand winding of relay 11 and theleft-hand contacts of relay 13 to the negative bus where by relay 11 is actuatedbaelctofthe position I shown in the drawings where it remains until the next operation, j

The selector 9 would now again transmit a second series of impulses to the line A were it not forthe fact,as will be indicated, that when the remote switch is operated a return impulse energizesmagnet 18 thereby restor ing switch 1 to the normalposition and de energizing the starting relay 5 which in'turn deenergizes relay 7 and the negative bus 6.

At the remote station shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the positive impulses are received over conductor A through relay 50, conductor'd, and right-hand lowercontacts ofrelay 13 of the transmitter atthe remote station. Thus relay50 of neither receiving system can respond 'whenthe transmitter inthe samesta tionis operating. Similarly since the bus 6 in each station is energized throughrelays 51, 52 and 53 thereat neither transmitter can operate when the receiver in the same station is operating. This relay 50 in Fig. 4 is operated in response to each impulse received from the dispatchers station andsupplies the first group of impulses through a circuit which extends from the negative side of the battery through the left-hand contacts of relay 50, lower contactsoi relay 54, motor magnet 55 of selector switch 55 to the positive side of the battery. Thus selector switch 55 steps its wiper over its bank of contactsitlirough as many steps as there are impulses inthe first group. Thus this switch will come to rest upon its eighth contact. The first closing of relay 50 causes relays 51, 52 and 53, all of which are cascade connected through obvious circuits, to operate their armatures to the upper position. When an interruption in the impulses, caused by the slow closing of relay 17-at the dispatchers station, occurs relay 51 at the remote station will actuate its armature tothe lower position. A circuit will then be completed which extendsfrom thenegative side of the battery through the lower contacts ofv relay 51, middle contacts of relay 52 and actuating winding of relay 54 to the positive sideof the battery. Relay 54 will then actuate its armature to its upperposition and through its upper-bridging member 54 will complete holding circuit for itself which 1 extends through bridging member 53' of relay 53 in its upper position. This transfers the circuit ofthe left-hand contacts of relay 50 from motor magnet55 to motormagnet 56". Thus when the remaining group of impulses are recelved motor magnet 56 will be at tact and wiper ofswitch 56 will engage its 1 fourth contact.

WVhen the second group of impulses is completed relay51 and subsequently relay52 at the remote station are deenergized. When relay 52 reaches its lower position a circuit is completed which extends from the negative side of the battery through the lowercontacts ofrelays 51 and 52, bridging member 53 ofrelay 53in its upperposition, wiper of switch 55 on its eighth contact, winding r of relay 57, wiper of selector switch 56 on its fourthcontact, conductor 6 and left-hand winding of relay 13015 the transmitter at the remote station to the positive side of the battery. This winding of relay 13 actuates the armatures ofthe relay inthe same man uated in response thereto thereby actuating ner inwhich the right-hand winding does,

butis electrically independent of the righthand winding. Relay 13 at the remote station then actuates itsarmature and supplies positive potential to the conductor A. This potential comprises the return signal impulse which occurs only when switches 55 and 56 have properly operated. This potential, however, will not cause operation of relay 50 of the remote receiver for the reason that the circuit of that relay 50 is completed through conductor d and the right-hand lower contacts of the relay 13 of the remote transmitter which arenow open.

- After a further time delay relay 53 at the remote station operates its armature to the lower position thereby closing circuits which extend from the negative side of the batierythrough the lower contacts of relays 51 and 52, bridging member 53 of relay 53 in its lower position, contacts 56 which are now' closed due to the fact that the wiper of switch 56 is not in its normal position, contacts 56 of the motor magnet 56 and winding thereof to the positive side of the battery.v This circuit constitutes a buzzer circuit for the motor magnet 56' which actuates the switch 56 to its initial position, in which position the contacts 56 are opened and the operation ceases. A similar circuit is completed through the bridging member 53 of relay 53 and its lower contacts for the motor magnet 55 which likewise actuates its armature to the normal position.

It has been seen that at the same time that relay 57 at the remote station was energized positive potential was'supplied by the transmitter at the remote station to the conductor A. Relay of the receiver at the dispatchers station shown in Fig. 2 responds to this positive potential and causes the operation of relays 50, 51, 52 and 53 thereat to their upper position thereby energizing motor magnet at the dispatchers station. When the switches 55 and 56 at the remote station return to their initial position, however, the circuit of the left-hand winding of relay 13 at the remote station is deenergized and hence positive potential is removed from the conductor A, and relays 50, 51 and 52 at the dispatchers station are returned in succession to the position shown in the drawing thereby deenergizing motor magnet 55 at the dispatchers station. Switch 55 in the dispatchers station now occupies its first contact position.

A circuit is then completed in the dispatchers ofiice from the negative side of the battery through the lower contacts of relays 51 and 52, bridging member 53 of relay 53 in its upper position, wiper of switch 55 on its first contact, conductor 7, wiper III of selector switch 15 at the dispatchers station on its eighth contact, winding 18 of latching member 1', contacts 8 of selector switch 9 to the positive side of the battery. Winding 18 then releases the latching member 1 and thereby restores the switch 1 to the position shown in the drawings. This in turn deenergizcs the starting relay 5 which operates to its lower position after a time delay.

In its lower position relay 5 completes a circuit which extends from negative battery through the lower contacts thereof, contacts 15*, contacts 15 motor magnet 15 to the positive side of the battery. This constitutes a buzzer circuit for motor magnet 15 which in turn actuates its wipers to the initial position in which position contacts 15 are opened thereby interrupting the operation of the switch. After a time delay relay 53 at the dispatchers station returns to its lower position thereby completing the buzzer circuit for the motor magnet 55' which in turn actuates the corresponding selector switch to its initial position, Thus the entire systern is now returned to its initial position.

Let us assume that when the selector switch 9 in the dispatchers office is returned to its initial position the above described final impulse caused by relay 13 at the remote station does not occur due, for example, to faulty operation of one of the switches 55 or 56 at the remote station. It will be seen that when thecontact of switch 9 returns to its initial position relay 7 is energized through contacts 8 and completes the buzzer circuit for relay 10. Through operation of this relay as described above, the series of impulses will be repeated to the remote station. The selector switch 15, however, will remain upon the contact to which it was actuated, viz: in the case above assumed, contact 8 since the circuit of the control relay 16 is not again completed before the relay 11 is reenergized to open the energizing circuit of the relay 16. By making relay 7 sufficiently slow to opcrate, or otherwise, producing sufficient time interval after the first series has been sent out switches 55 and 56 in the remote station will return to their normal positions and be in readiness for receipt, of the second series of impulses which may effect the desired operation.

To produce an indication that trouble has developed a circuit is completed through contacts 15 for energizing relay 19 which after a time interval equal to the time required for two complete series of impulses when no remote operation is had, closes its contacts thereby completing a circuit which extends from the positive side of the battery through contacts 8 which are closed when this switch is in its normal position, left-hand contacts tive side of the battery through relay 20,

armature of relay 19, contacts 8 on selector switch 9 to the positive side of the battery. Relay 20 completes an obvious circuit for visual and audible indicating devices 21 and 22 which informs the operator that a faulty operation of the equipment has taken place. Relay 20 may be employed to operate a drop as indicated in the drawings thereby to furnish a permanent indication that trouble has occurred,

Since switch 15 is nolonger on a contact corresponding to the operated signal lever 1 the left-hand winding of relay 11 will not be operated on the followingrotation of switch 9 but will remain in its right-hand position. Thus switch 15 will then be actusubsequent contacts on switch 15 have been operated, itwill be seenthat the signals corresponding thereto will be transmitted in succession. Subsequent signals corresponding to switches 1 corresponding to prior contacts will then be transmittedin succession. Thus, when a faulty operation occurs the equipment not only transmits the code during which the faulty operation occurred but also transmits any further codes corresponding to other operated control switches. That is, let. us assume that thesecontrol devices 1 are operated substantially simultaneously or one following the other in succession without intervening interval sufficient to permit the equipment-to return to normal after any operationfl Normally the equipment will proceed to transmit the respective codes in succession. It we assume that no return impulse occurs after the first code is transmitted theiequipment will rep-eat this code once and then proceed to send the codescorrespondingto each of the other operated unitsin succession, after. which it will continuously repeat the first code. If we assume that no return mpulse is received corresponding to two of a greater number of operated devicesjl, it will be seen that the equipment will re-transmit the codes corresponding to each of these devices once. After repeating each code the equipment proceeds to the next operated control device thereby to transmit its code. After all codes in response to which proper operation at the remote station occurs, have been transmitted the. equipment will then repeatedly transmit the two codes resulting from which it is assumed that faulty operation occurred. These codes will be transmitted alternately each code being repeated twice in succession until the proper operation of the remote equipment is had.

To indicate the manner in which the remote switches in Fig. 3 are caused, upon operation thereof, to actuate the remote transmitter thereby to operate signals in the dispatchersstation the equipment indicated in the rectangle the lower left-hand corner of FigsQ 2 and 3 is provided; The equipment shown in therectangle ofliig. 3 includes the relays 26 and 27 which are associated with each remote switch at theremote station and that in the rectangle of Fig. 2 includes the relays 59, and 606 which are located in the dispatchers station and which correspond to the remote switches. i

If we assume that a remote switch (not shown) :is operated from one position to the other a contacting device 23 is rotated through one-halfof a revolution and thereby completes a conductive connection between contacts 23 and 23. A circuit will then be completed which extends from negative battery through contacts 23 and 23 of contacting devices 23, upper contacts and armature of relay 26 in the position shown and the left-hand winding of relay 27 to the positive terminal of the battery. Relay 27 will then be actuated to the left thereby com pleting a starting circuit which extends from the negative side of the battery through starting relay 5 of the remote transmitter, lower left-hand contacts and armature of relay 26, upper contacts and iarmature of relay 27 in its left-hand position to the positive side of the battery. Likewise a selecting circuit will be completed which extends from the fifth contact on bank I of switch 9 through themiddle contacts and armature of relay 26 in the position shown, lower contacts and armature of relay 27 in its left-hand position, conductor 63, and fifth contact of bank II of switch 15. Thus the starting circuit and the selecting circuit is completed in the at the dispatchers station.

When a corresponding signal is received at i the dispatchers station the selector switch 55 of the dispatchers receivershown in Fig. 2 will be operated to its fifth contact and selector 56 will be operated to its seventh contact, thereby operating the left-hand coil of relay 59 and relay 60 in parallel. By means of its lower contact relay 60 energizes an obvious circuit for audible signaling device 61. Relay 59 similarly closes anobvious circuit for the visual indicating devices .62 which may comprise a lamp. When the return signal impulse is received at the iremotev station a circuit will be completed for the right-hand coil of relay 26 which in turn operates the armature to the dotted line positionrthereby interruptingboth the starting circuit and the selecting circuit in a manner equivalent to the return of switch 1 to-its normal position.

In case the switch 27has thenbeen actuated back to its initial position a circuit for the starting relay will again be completed through lower right-hand contacts and armature of relay 26, and the upper right-hand contacts and armature of relay 27. 'Similarly a selecting. circuit will be completed through the middle right-hand contacts of relay 26 and lower right-hand contacts of relay 27. These circuits in turn willcause relay 27 and returning the armature to the position showing in the drawings.

It will be apparent that if a number of remote switches are operated simultaneously the selector switches 9 and 15 will operate to the contacts corresponding to the first of these switches after which its signal will be sent to the dispatchers station. The supervisory system will then proceed to send signals corresponding to each of these switches in sequence.

Relays 28 and 29 are arranged to be operated by the receiver at the remote station in the same way that relays 57 and 58 are operated, and are used for the purpose of checking the position of the remote switches. Thus, for example, if the operator desires to check the position of the remote switches he will first operate relay 28. This relay through conductors'57, 58 and 59 will energize the left-hand coils of all of the relays 26. The armatures of all of the relays which are not in the left-hand position will thus be actuated. These switches will then cause a signal to be sent to the dispatchers station indicating the position which they occupy. The operator will then operate relay 29 which in turn through conductors 60, 61 and 62 will energize the right-hand coils of all of the relays 26. This in turn will cause all of the armatures which are not already in the right-hand position to be actuated to the right and corresponding signals to be sent to the dispatchers station. 7

lVhile I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications, both in the circuit ar-' rangement and in the instrumentalities employed, may be made without departing from my invention and I therefore aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is.

i 1. In combination, a transmitting station a receiving station, a pair of selector switches in said receiving station, each switch including a movable contact and a group of cooperating stationary contacts, a plurality of electroresponsive units in said receiving station respectively connected in series between different complementary contacts of said groups, a control device in said transmitting station corresponding to each of said electro responsive units, means for transmitting a predetermined constant number of impulses, means responsive to the operation of a control device for effecting the operation of said impulse transmitting means and the operation of one of said switches in response to a predetermined portion of said constant number of impulses and the operation of the other of said switches in response to the remainder of said impulses whereby after the transmission of said constant number of impulsesthe movable contacts of said switches are in engagement with the complementary stationary contacts thereof which are in the circuit of the electroresponsive unit corresponding to'the operated control device, and means responsive to the completion of the circuit of the electroresponsive unit corresponding to an operated control device for restoring said corresponding control device to its normal position.

2. In combination, a transmitting station, a receiving station, a pair of selector switches in said receiving station, each switch includng a movable contact and a group of cooperating stationary contacts, a plurality of electroresponsive units in said receiving station respectively connected in series between diiierent complementary contacts of said groups, a control device in said transmitting station corresponding to each of said electroresponsive units, means for transmitting a predetermined constant number of impulses, means responsive to the operation of a control device for effecting the operation of said impulse transmitting means and the operation of one of said switches in response to apredetermined portion of said constant number of impulses and the operation of the other of said switches in response to the remainder of said impulses whereby after the transmission of said constant number of impulses the movable contacts of said switches are in engagement with the complementary stationary contacts thereof which are in the circuit of the electroresponsive-unit corresponding to the operated control device, means responsive to the completion of the circuit of an electro-responsive unit for transmitting an electric impulse to said transmitting station, and means at said transmitting station responsive to said impulse for restoring the corresponding operated control device to its normal position.

3. In combination, a transmitting station, a receiving station, a pair of selector switches in said receiving station, each switch ineluding a movable contact and a group of cooperating stationary contacts, a plurality of electroresponsive units in said receiving stat-ion respectively connected in series between diiferent complementary contacts of said groups, a control device in said transmitting station corresponding to each of said electroresponsive units, means for transmitting a predetermined constant number of impulses, means responsive to the operation of a control device for effecting the operation of said impulse transmitting means and the operation of one of said switches in response to a predetermined portion of said constant number of impulses and the operation of the other of said switches in response to the remainder of said impulses whereby after the transmission of said constant number of impulses the movable contacts of said switches are in engagement with the complementary stationary contacts thereof which are in the circuit of the electroresponsive unit corresponding to the operated control device, a relay havlng a wlndlng connected 1n series WALDEMAR BRUCKEL. 

